But she cautions that while pet owners can think of raw blueberries as a relatively low-calorie snack option, blueberries that have been added to high-calorie desserts and baked goods are probably not the best option. In addition, many baked blueberry treats meant for people can include a lot of fat. Blueberries are not toxic, so the only dangers to feeding your dog blueberries are choking and allergies. If your dog tends to eat their food quickly, a raw blueberry—especially a hard, frozen blueberry—could be inhaled instead of swallowed.
Some commercial blends contain blueberries. An ancestral diet eliminates grains and includes mostly meat, but also grasses and some fruits, vegetables, and berries. Cherries, grapes, and raisins are toxic to both cats and dogs. These fruits can cause kidney damage , pancreatitis, or even death. Dangerous wild berries include holly berries, baneberries, juniper berries, pokeberries, and mistletoe berries.
Grapes and raisins are extremely toxic for dogs, even in small amounts. Signs of grape or raisin poisoning include:. If you suspect your dog has eaten grapes or raisins, or any other dangerous substance, call your vet immediately. Explain the symptoms and what you think the dog ate, how much, and his size, age, and breed.
The vet may ask you to perform specific steps to counteract the toxin. If a dog overeats anything—even in blueberries—it can cause a gastric or allergic reaction. Signs of an intolerance or allergy include excessive licking and scratching, vomiting, diarrhea, skin hot spots, and skin and ear infections. As nutritious and delicious as blueberries are, your dogs may find them bitter.
Plenty of other natural fruit treats exist to tempt your dog. Try feeding a sweeter fruit, such as strawberries or bananas.
Strawberries have the added benefit of a naturally occurring enzyme that cleans dog teeth. Blackberries, raspberries, and even cranberries are all chock full of antioxidants.
Banana peels are not toxic but can present a choking hazard and cause digestive blockages. But why give them just bananas and berries? Dogs can safely eat cut up apples, cantaloupe, kiwi, mangoes, pears, pineapple, pumpkin, and watermelon. Be sure to wash the fruit carefully and remove any seeds. Unlike cats, some dogs may enjoy eating oranges, and similar fruit, such as tangerines and clementines.
Oranges contain a lot of sugar, so limit how many your dog eats. For example, half of an orange or one tangerine is probably enough for a small dog. Observe your dog for stomach upset and use caution if your dog has diabetes. If you want to branch out to other plant-based snacks, look to vegetables: offer your dog asparagus, broccoli, carrots, celery, cucumber, green beans, or zucchini. Although most fruits and vegetables can be fresh or fresh frozen, some produce should also be organic or sustainably-raised to eliminate the risk of eating non-GMO food and herbicides and pesticides.
Consider joining a CSA community supported garden that offers blueberries. Smaller natural markets will offer fresh berries when available, and now, many grocery chains also stock a range of organic items, sometimes even in winter.
But the plants receive regular supplements of fertilizer with either ammonium sulfate or potassium sulfate. Although safe in small amounts, extensive contact with ammonium sulfate can cause lethargy and breathing and mobility issues in dogs. Consider choosing a fertilizer with potassium sulfate, which is safe and is even added to commercial pet food.
The plants may also be troubled by insects or funguses. Pesticides that combat these problems can be toxic to dogs. Isolate the shrubs from your dog if you use toxic options. Fortunately, sustainable, non-toxic pesticides are also available. Blueberries grow in U. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones three through eight—in other words, in most of the lower 48 states and parts of Alaska.
Dogs can adversely affect blueberry bushes if they urinate on or near them. This sweet summer treat is packed with four different vitamins: A, B6, C, and E. They also have potassium and both beta-carotene and alpha-carotene. Just remember, as with most fruits, remove the hard pit first, as it contains small amounts of cyanide and can become a choking hazard.
Mango is high in sugar, so use it as an occasional treat. Oranges Yes , dogs can eat oranges. Oranges are fine for dogs to eat, according to veterinarians, but they may not be fans of any strong-smelling citrus. Oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, and in small quantities, the juicy flesh of an orange can be a tasty treat for your dog.
Vets do recommend tossing the peel and only offering your dog the flesh of the orange, minus any seeds. Orange peel is rough on their digestive systems, and the oils may make your dog literally turn up their sensitive nose. Peaches Yes , peaches are safe for dogs to eat. Small amounts of cut-up fresh or frozen peaches are a great source of fiber and vitamin A, and can even help fight infections, but just like cherries, the pit contains cyanide.
As long as you completely cut around the pit first, fresh peaches can be a great summer treat. Skip canned peaches, as they usually contain high amounts of sugary syrups. Pears Yes , dogs can eat pears. Just be sure to cut pears into bite-size chunks and remove the pit and seeds first, as the seeds contain traces of cyanide. Skip canned pears with sugary syrups. Pineapple Yes , pineapple is safe for dogs to eat. A few chunks of pineapple is a great sweet treat for dogs, as long as the prickly outside peel and crown are removed first.
The tropical fruit is full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It also contains bromelain , an enzyme that makes it easier for dogs to absorb proteins.
Raspberries Yes , dogs can eat raspberries. Raspberries are fine in moderation. They contain antioxidants that are great for dogs. Raspberries are especially good for senior dogs because they have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help aging joints. However, they do contain small amounts of xylitol , so limit your dog to less than a cup of raspberries at a time.
Strawberries Yes , dogs can eat strawberries. Strawberries are full of fiber and vitamin C. Blueberries are low in calories and contain high amounts of vitamin C, fiber, and phytochemicals naturally occurring chemical compounds found in plants. Vitamin C and fiber are vital components of proper canine nutrition. Phytochemicals are linked to several aspects of health, including the ability to fight cancer in humans.
Blueberries are also filled with antioxidants and have been shown to improve the health of animals, as well as humans. Antioxidants, like those in blueberries, help fight free radicals, which are responsible for cellular and molecular damage in dogs and humans. You can feed your dog both fresh and frozen blueberries. As with all treats, make sure to only feed your dog this fruit in moderation.
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